Self-actuating, traction-drive speed changer

A self-actuating fraction drive speed changer, comprising, a pair of spaced support elements, a movable force input element having a planar drive surface supported by one of the support elements, a movable force output element having a planar drive surface supported by the other of the support elements, an elongated link having a center and opposite ends pivotally secured at its center to one of the support elements, one each of first and second roller elements secured to the ends of the link, with each roller element having a planar drive surface, the planar drive surface of the first roller element being in friction engagement with the planar drive surface of the input element, whereupon rotation of the input element will rotate the first roller to pivot the link so that the planar drive surface of the second roller will engage the planar drive surface of the output element to rotate the output element.

A self-actuating traction drive speed changer, comprising, a speed changer assembly including a rotatable force input element rotatable about a first fixed axes, and a spaced rotatable movable force output element rotatable about a second fixed axis, an elongated arm pivotally connected at one end on the first fixed axis and having an opposite end rotatably supporting a roller element with a planar drive surface in contact with a planar drive surface on the input element, the output element having a planar drive surface spaced from the planar drive surface of the input element with the space therebetween being variably converging in width and having a minimum width less than the diameter of the roller element on the opposite end of the arm so that movement of the roller element into the variably converging space will permit the planar drive surface of roller element to engage the planar drive surface of both the input and output elements to impart rotation of the output element upon rotation of the input element.

A self-actuating traction drive speed changer, comprising a speed changer assembly including spaced movable input and output force elements concentric with one another and each having a planar drive surface, at least one roller element with a planar drive surface engaging the planar drive surfaces of the input and output elements, the roller element and the input and output elements being positioned in the assembly to provide a geometric configuration therebetween so that a coefficient of friction between the various planar drive surfaces will create a normal force to be induced therebetween which will cause a tractive force to be generated therebetween without slippage between the planar drive surfaces.

A method of self actuating a drive speed changer, comprising, providing a support element, mounting a movable force input element having a planar drive surface on the support element, mounting a movable force output element having a planar drive surface on the support element, providing an elongated link having a center and opposite ends pivotally secured at its center to one of the support elements, placing first and second roller elements on the ends of the link, with each roller element having a planar drive surface, with the planar drive surface of the first roller element being in friction driving engagement with the planar drive surface of the input element, rotating the first roller by the input element to pivot the link so that the drive surface of the second roller will engage the planar drive surface of the output element to rotate the output element.

A method of self actuating a drive speed changer, comprising, providing a support element, mounting a movable force input element having a planar drive surface on the support element, mounting a movable force output element having a planar drive surface on the support element, placing first and second rollers with planar drive surfaces in operating surface contact with the input and output elements respectively, and rotating the first roller by the input element so that the drive surface of the second roller will engage the planar drive surface of the output element to move the output element, and wherein at least one of the input element and output element is adapted to move longitudinally.

A method of self-actuating a drive speed changer, comprising, providing spaced movable input and output force elements concentric with one another and each having planar drive surfaces, causing at least one roller element therebetween with a planar drive surface in engagement with the planar drive surfaces of input and output force elements, adjusting the geometric configuration of the roller element and the input and output force elements so that a coefficient of friction between the various planar drive surfaces will create a normal force to be induced therebetween which will cause a tractive force to be generated therebetween without slippage between the planar drive surfaces.

A self-actuating traction drive speed changer, comprising, a movable force input element having a planar drive surface, a movable force output element having a planar drive surface and being connectable to an output load, a movable roller element having a planar drive surface operatively connected for rotation to the input element, and in frictional engagement with the planar drive surface of the output element so that movement of the input element will cause the planar drive surface of the roller element to engage and frictionally move the output element wherein the roller element is located in between outer perimeters of the input shaft and the output element, and wherein the roller element is located between outer perimeters of the input shaft and the output element.